Giants rally around an injured Wilson

Running back will not practice, won't play in first preseason game

Associated Press

Associated Press

Published 10:19 pm, Thursday, July 31, 2014

FILE - In this Thursday, May 29, 2014 file photo, New York Giants running back David Wilson talks to the media during an NFL football organized team activity in East Rutherford, N.J. New York Giants running back David Wilson has been cleared for contact work after recovering from neck surgery, Monday, July 21, 2014. Although he attended offseason workouts with the Giants, Wilson was held back from many activities by the team's medical staff. On Monday, he said, "I got cleared this morning ... that was the best news I'd gotten in a while." (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File) ORG XMIT: NJJC113

After receiving the news that fellow running back David Wilson was going to be sidelined with a neck injury, the rest of the New York Giants backfield have rallied around their injured teammate.

"When I signed here, I knew we had a chance to be a force in the backfield," said Rashad Jennings, signed as a free agent in the offseason from Oakland.

"We have a good bunch of guys, each one of whom could be the starter. We have a special group. Every one of us has a chance to implement their ability in a unique way."

Jennings said he was glad to see Wilson at practice Thursday. Wilson stood on the sideline during practice, wearing his jersey but no equipment.

Wilson was not made available to the media on Thursday. The severity of his neck injury was also not released by the team. He remains sidelined after suffering a neck "burner," according to coach Tom Coughlin.

Wilson will not practice for the remainder of the week and will not play in the Giants' preseason opener Sunday against the Buffalo Bills in the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. "We're just praying that the kid is OK," Coughlin said after practice.

Jets: Safety Calvin Pryor, the team's first-round draft pick, has returned to practice on a limited basis as he recovers from a concussion. Pryor wore a red, no-contact jersey Thursday during positional drills after being cleared for physical activity by team doctors. He still has yet to be cleared for physical contact as he goes through the NFL's protocol for head injuries.

Bills: Linebacker Nigel Bradham was surprised to get a one-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy but said he has learned a lesson from the incident. The NFL ruled that Bradham must sit out the season opener as a result of being stopped in August 2013 for possession of marijuana in the town of Tonawanda. The charges from the incident were dropped. "My whole thing is to stay positive, man," Bradham said. "It's something that followed me from last year, a decision I made. I regret it. I made a mistake."

Patriots: Tom Brady has been impressed by rookie running back James White. "He's done a great job since he got here," the New England quarterback said of White, the Patriots' fourth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin. White was thought of as being a third down back in New England's passing game. However a few weeks ago, coach Bill Belichick called the rookie "a very interesting and versatile player" and hinted at more than just one down per series.